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Is the era of good feelings in the Senate in peril?
Representatives worked through a truncated week for the House as they took Monday off in observance of President’s Day. On the other hand, the Senate chose to work on Monday and gave first round approval to a couple bills, one dealing with vaccinations that pharmacists may administer the other dealing with citizens on public assistance. On Tuesday, the Senate worked for over 4 hours on a bill changing the depreciation schedule of the personal property tax on cars. Then turned its attention to a bill dealing with extending Medicaid benefits for new mothers from 6 months to 1 year.
Despite a few hiccups, the Senate was operating as it has all year. That all came to an end on Thursday morning...click here to read what happened.
House Activity this Week
In addition to providing testimony on HB 870 (Shields), Aligned testified in favor of HB 497 (Lewis) which renames the "Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program" to the "Teacher Recruitment and Retention State Scholarship Program" and offers scholarships equal to 100% of the tuition and fees incurred by a student who enters the teaching profession in a hard to fill school or subject area for an amount equal to two years for every year the scholarship is received.
Dr. Stacey Preis, testifying on behalf of Aligned, told the committee that this program will target money were it is most needed. "High poverty, high minority rural students appear to learn from less experienced, unqualified, out of field, or less effective teachers at higher rates than occur in schools with low poverty."
Other groups testifying in favor were Missouri NEA, Missouri School Boards Association, Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Missouri State Teachers Association, and the Missouri Council of School Administrators. There was no opposing testimony.
Senate Activity this Week
The Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development heard SB 136 (Eslinger), a bill requiring students to create individual career and academic plans and schools to establish a process for students to complete and submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications.
Senator Karla Eslinger explained that in 2021, $71.3 million in student aid went unused. "This is money just sitting there that they could access if they were aware to support their post-secondary plans."
Dr. Stacey Preis, testifying on behalf of Aligned, explained that this bill will get kids to consider post-secondary plans while still in high school. "It's forcing students to think about 'what am I going to do after high school,' not 'what am I going to do for the rest of my life.'"
Preis added that the $71 million left on the table says a lot. "We wouldn't want any kid to miss an opportunity to go to college simply thinking he or she didn't have the resources."
Other groups testifying in favor were the Council on Public Higher Education, Department of Higher Education, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Council of School Administrators, Missouri Community College Association, and Missouri School Boards Association.
Testifying in opposition were three individuals Dr. Mary Byrne, Karen Banta and Arnie Dienoff.
Budget Update
The Senate dedicated floor time on Wednesday to Truly Agree to and Finally Pass HCS HB 14, sponsored by Representative Cody Smith (R-Carthage). This is the Emergency Supplemental requested by Governor Mike Parson. The Emergency Supplemental includes an 8.7% pay raise for state employees plus a $2 differential increase for those working night and overnight shifts for certain departments. The bill also includes an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate to $.655 per mile, $148 million for capital improvement projects provided there is a 50/50 match, $275 million for SEMA to reimburse expenses to Missouri citizens, $3 million for the Wood Energy Tax Credit, and over $24 million to the Missouri State Employee’s Retirement System. The Senate made no modifications to the bill and gave the bill final approval 29-4. The bill now will be sent to the Governor for his consideration
Tidbits
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Fox 2 highlights The Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Program's efforts to expand access to youth mental health care
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A study by the Gatsby Foundation finds a majority of surveyed parents feel they would be in a different career field if they'd discussed options earlier in life
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Harris Stowe State University announced the creation of a new academic college to focus on efforts to promote and improve the STEM workforce
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A national logistics industry publication ranks Missouri as a top choice for logistics and distribution centers
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The Missouri House is one step closer to passing legislation to help current and prospective employees obtain upskill credentials
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Industry leaders say "manufacturing" is no longer a "dirty" word and should be attractive to students as a career field
Upcoming Hearings / Action
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School Finance Reform - Wednesday the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development will hear SB 17 sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur (D-Clay County) which modifies terms used in the elementary and secondary school funding formula for weighting for low-income population.
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Lead Poisoning - Tuesday the House Children & Families Committee will hear HB 906, sponsored by Rep. Kent Haden (R-Audrain Co), which requires all children below the age of 6 to be tested for lead exposure.
Read our full legislative report for the week of February 20th.
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